Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

I'm not an officer, but a former resident of Wilmington. The Wilmington Police are a top notch agency and I can't imagine losing a fellow officer. May God comfort his family and his fellow officers during this tough time. Rest in peace Officer Matthews.

Matt
Former Wilmington Resident

February 19, 2009

Rich, you were truly a pleasure to work with. My thoughts go out to your family and your brothers and sisters in blue. May you rest in peace.

Anonymous

February 19, 2009

My thoughts and prayers to the family, friends and co-workers of Officer Matthews. Another Hero taken too soon. May God comfort you and your Family.
You will never be forgotten. God Speed and God Bless. Rest in Peace Sir.

VIPS Jeff Claybern 750
Alexandria Kentucky Police Department

February 19, 2009

Rest in peace Officer Matthews...

Lieutenant
Genesee County, Michigan

February 19, 2009

God bless you and may you rest in peace from a New Yorker.

Police Officer Nelson Marti
New York State Park Police/ Taconic Region

February 19, 2009

God Bless you sir.

Rick F.
Ret. Co

February 19, 2009

Godspeed Richard. My heart, thoughts, and prayers go out to your family, to our family. We are all indebted to your service and heroism.


"He shall say to the Lord: Thou art my protector, and my refuge: my God, in him will I trust.

For he hath delivered me from the snare of the hunters: and from the sharp word.

He will overshadow thee with his shoulders: and under his wings thou shalt trust.

His truth shall compass thee with a shield: thou shalt not be afraid of the terror of the night, of the arrow that flieth in the day.

Of the business that walketh about in the dark: of invasion, or of the noonday devil."

Psalm 91 (Douay-Rheims)

Jason M. Howard
High Point Parks Police

February 18, 2009

May you rest in peace. I pray for the family, friends, and co-workers that you will find comfort and peace during this time. May GOD bless you all.

Tammy Blagg
Wife of Police Chief Larry N Blagg EOW 1-27-09

February 18, 2009

Rest in Peace

Zero Meth Alabama

February 18, 2009

Rest in Peace

Zero Meth Alabama

February 18, 2009

On behalf of the East Carolina University Community, I want to send my wishes to the family, friends and fellow officers of Ofc. Matthews. God Speed Brother.

Supervisor
ECU Police Dept. & Student Patrol Unit

February 18, 2009

For Police Officer Richard Matthews:

When an officer responds to the call for assistance from a fellow officer he/she responds with the speed and intent no less than he/she would wish for if he/she placed the call for help. No call generates more urgency than the call for aid from a fellow officer. We stand strongest when we stand in union. We will face anyone or any situation because we are not individuals, but rather we are a force.

When an officer dies enroute to help another officer he/she dies a hero. For he/she has laid down his/her life for another. There is great honor in this. Though, sad and regrettable, no officer worth his/her salt would not hasten at the call for help. Not from the public, and certainly not from one another.

Police Officer Richard Matthews stands among us as hero not because he was quick to respond, but rather that he died in service to his fellow officer. A worthy cause. A worthy officer. Let us never forget him, nor this day.

To Police Officer Rich Matthews I am proud to render a final salute.

Cpl. Ralph D. Fiorenza (Ret.)
Pennsylvania State Police

February 18, 2009

To Officer Richard Matthews, to all family members and friends who call him beloved, and to his law enforcement family at Wilmington Police Dept:

I was heartbroken to learn of today's tragic events and extend my sincerest condolences on the grievous loss you have suffered. Words are insufficient to describe the sadness I feel for the Matthews family. May you find comfort in your faith and the support of the law enforcement community.

There are many police survivors who share this same journey with you, and that community will be there to support you. Richard's memory will be forever honored and revered.

This reflection is sent with the utmost respect for the distinquished service Richard gave to his community and the citizens of North Carolina, and for the supreme sacrifice he and his family made on February 18, 2009.

Phyllis Loya, mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg, CA PD, eow 4/24/05. (Larry was born in Durham)

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater

February 18, 2009

Thankyou for your service OFFICER MATTHEWS, you are a hero for us all to look up too. God bless your family during these tragic times

POLICE OFFICER
PHILA PA

February 18, 2009

RIP Brother! You made the supreme sacrifice to come to a fellow Brother that needed you. My thoughts and prayers go out to your family and agency.

Lt. David Bishop
Buncombe County Sheriff's Office-Asheville, NC

February 18, 2009

My the Lord bless the Matthews family during this difficult time.

Detective Jeremy Martinez
San Jose Police Department (California)

February 18, 2009

REST IN PEACE.

CHIEF E.J. MORRIS
RANDOLPH MO P.D.

February 18, 2009

My thoughts and prayers are with your family, friends and co-workers at this very difficult time. May you rest in peace knowing that your dedication and sacrifice will never be forgotten.

Linda Lamm - LEO wife and sister of
Jay Balchunas EOW 11.05.04

February 18, 2009

Rest In Peace.

#2959
U.S. Marshals

February 18, 2009

IT IS MY HEARTFELT SORROW ANOTHER YOUNG OFFICER HAS FALLEN IN THE LINE OF DUTY.MY THOUGHTS GO OUT TO THE FAMILY OF OFFICER MATTHEWS,HIS FELLOW OFFICERS AND FRIENDS.NOW HE IS WITH HIS BRETHREN WATCHING OVER THOSE OF US LEFT. GOD SPEED.

RON MATTHEWS
FATHER OF FALLEN OFFICER: DEPUTY C. BRIAN MATTHEWS EOW 9-30-2005

February 18, 2009

My thoughts and prayers go out to the family and to the Department.

Cpl Stan Ricks
Nash County Sheriff's Office

February 18, 2009

My prayers are with the family, friends and coworkers of Officer Matthews. May God be with you all and guide you through these dark and troubled times.

Deb Azure
Mother of Deputy Renee Danell Azure
EOW 08/06/02

Anonymous

February 18, 2009

MAY THE ANGELS LEAD YOU IN AND PROTECT YOU FOREVER. GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY AND THE WILMINGTON POLICE DEPARTMENT NORTH CAROLINA.

AUNT OF TROOPER CRAIG J TODESCHINI EOW 04/23/06

Anonymous

February 18, 2009

On behalf of the men and women of the Camillus Police Department, our deepest sympathies to the family, friends and co-workers of Police Officer Richard Matthews. Rest in Peace Brother, We now have the Watch.

PBA
Town of Camillus Police Department, Central New York

February 18, 2009

The funeral line was long, There's an awful lot of cars, Folks came out of the restaurants, They came out of the bars.
The workers at the construction sites All let their hammers drop. Someone asked. "What is this all for?" And they said, "Aw, just a cop."
Some chuckled at the passing cars. Some shed a silent tear Some people said, "It's stupid," "all these dumb policemen here."
"How come they are not out fighting crime?" "Or in a doughnut shop?" Sure is a lot of trouble, For someone who's just a cop."
They blocked the intersections, They blocked the interstate. People yelled and cursed, "Damn, it's gonna make me late!"
"This is really ridiculous!" "They're makin' us all stop!" "It seems they are sure wastin' time, On someone who's just a cop."
Into the cemetery now, The slow procession comes, The woeful Taps are slowly played. There's loud salutes from guns.
The graveyard workers shake their heads "This service is a flop." "There's lots of good words wasted, On someone who's just a cop"
Yeah, just a cop to most folks. Did his duty every day. Trying to protect us, Till they took his life away.
And when he got to heaven, St. Peter put him at the top. An angel asked him, "Who was that?" And he said, "Aw, just a cop."
His Judgment Day:
The officer stood and faced his God, Which must always come to pass. He hoped his shoes were shinning, Just as brightly as his brass.
"Step forward now, Officer, How shall I deal with you? Have you always turned the other cheek To my church have you been true?"
The officer squared his shoulder and said, "No, Lord, I guess I aint, Because those of us who carry badges can't always be a saint.
I've had to work most Sundays, And at times my talk was rough, And sometimes I've been violent Because the streets are tough.
But I never took a penny That wasn't mine to keep.. Though I worked a lot of overtime, when the bills got too steep.
And I never passed a cry for help Though at times I shook with fear. And sometimes, God forgive me, I've wept an unmanly tear.
I know I don't deserve a place among the people here. They never wanted me around except to calm their fear.
If you've a place for me here, Lord, it needn't be so grand. I never expected or had too much, But if you don't...I'll understand.
There was silence all around the throne, where the saints often trod. As the officer waited quietly for the judgment of his God.
"Step forward now, Officer. You've borne your burdens well. Come walk a beat on heaven's streets, You've done your time in hell"

Motor officer Terry Pauley
Plano PD Plano, Tx

February 18, 2009